The second article isn’t yet out – it’s in AutoNews, and the title is, “7,500-mile oil change is becoming the norm”.
It notes 40 brands that suggest 6,000 miles or more between oil changes, some (like aston martin and porsche) suggesting 10k-12k or every year (in normal driving conditions). Some cars, like Saab, Saturn and BMW, have software to tell you your engine oil’s life and when to change it, and the factories that use such monitors say intervals of 8k to 10k are typical.
Not many people read the manual for their vehicle. I read mine, but I’d forgotten that Mazda recommends 7,500 miles in between oil changes. I think that’s mostly the guilt factor – you go to an oil change shop and they put that little sticker on your car for 3,000 miles, and so you dwell on it even as you find you don’t have time to do it on time.
Personally, I drive up to 3,000 miles in one month. I drive 1,000 miles every month just going to work (barring trips that fly me out of town), and monthly oil changes are just not practical when I still haven’t found an oil change shop I trust. Well, now I don’t have to feel quite so guilty.
That’s why I, for the last seven years or so, have simply followed the oil change suggestion indicator in my vehicles.
I do not have a suggestion indicator, alas – I must pay attention!
My Truck’s manual says something along the “wait until it tells you” or about 3k miles if you want. My mechanic suggests 3k (since I don’t drive it much), with the reasoning that: if I have an issue that’s possibly covered under warranty, I can show proof of regular service… i.e. I was taking care of the truck as I should have, and she still broke.
The truck is still another 1k miles from it’s next 3k oil change. The last one was about 4months ago. I’m hoping to make it to Feb before needing another one. :-)
My opinion is this: If the oil on the dip-stick looks clean at 3k, and your using a good quality filter, and 75% of your drive time is at highway speeds.. then aim for 6-7l=k, no problems.
If it’s looking dirty, and you do most of your driving as stop and go (in city), then you’ll want to change it.
You should be keeping an eye on your fluid levels + condition on a regular basis anyway.
Indeed, if you’re losing/burning oil, it’s a different matter. I believe the “proof of regular service” applies when the manufacturer recommends a longer oil change period.
I rather do wish the system worked via sensor – these days it’s guesswork based on your driving pattern, and it would be so much cooler if I knew I was getting my oil changed because my car knew it needed to be changed.
Admittedly, a visual quality check helps, but that’s relative, especially for the vast majority of us who don’t have regular experience with oil.
Yeah…. I generally go about 5K on mine before I change it. Sometimes I wait until the warning light goes off, which is generally around 6-7K.
I use the 3,000 mile guide so I know how many miles I can go before I have my oil changed, but I usually go about 2500-3000 miles over what they say, since my car says it can go 5,000 miles. :)